Solid image capture device and electronic device incorporating same

Abstract

The solid image capture device 100 in accordance with the present invention is detachably fixed to a wiring board 1 and applies pressure to the side faces of a transparent lid section 3 in a direction normal to the faces, so as to nip and secure the transparent lid section 3 . The mechanism allows a solid image capture element 2 to be attached to and detached from the wiring board 1 . The solid image capture element 2 is readily positioned precisely on the wiring board 1.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A solid image capture device, comprising:
 a solid image capture element; 
 a wiring board to which the solid image capture element is mounted, the wiring board including wiring for electrical connection with the solid image capture element; 
 a transparent lid section provided over the solid image capture element to cover a light receiving section of the solid image capture element with a gap being left between the transparent lid section and the light receiving section; 
 a lens directing external light to the light receiving section of the solid image capture element; 
 a lens barrel accommodating the lens; and 
 a holder securing the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section, 
 wherein
 the holder presses the lens barrel when the holder is in engagement with an external section of the transparent lid section, to secure the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section; 
 the holder is provided on the wiring board to encase therein the solid image capture element; and 
 the holder is detachably secured to the wiring board and applies pressure to side faces of the transparent lid section in a direction normal to the side faces, to tightly hold the transparent lid section, and 
 the holder includes:
 contact sections each provided for a different one of the side faces of the transparent lid section to come into contact with that side face; 
 lock sections detachably secured to the wiring board to pivotally support the contact sections; and 
 a frame securing the contact sections when fit around the contact sections. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. A solid image capture device, comprising:
 a solid image capture element; 
 a wiring board to which the solid image capture element is mounted, the wiring board including wiring for electrical connection with the solid image capture element; 
 a transparent lid section provided over the solid image capture element to cover a light receiving section of the solid image capture element with a gap being left between the transparent lid section and the light receiving section; 
 a lens directing external light to the light receiving section of the solid image capture element; 
 a lens barrel accommodating the lens; and 
 a holder securing the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section, 
 wherein
 the holder presses the lens barrel when the holder is in engagement with an external section of the transparent lid section, to secure the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section; 
 the holder is provided on the wiring board to encase therein the solid image capture element; and 
 the holder is detachably secured to the wiring board and applies pressure to side faces of the transparent lid section in a direction normal to the side faces, to tightly hold the transparent lid section; and 
 
 wherein
 either the holder or the solid image capture element has a connecting section for electrical connection between the holder and the solid image capture element; and 
 the connecting section comes into contact with the holder and the solid image capture element when the transparent lid section is tightly held by the holder. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the holder is provided on the wiring board to encase therein the solid image capture element; and 
 the holder is anchored to the wiring board to hold down the transparent lid section in a direction normal to a light receiving surface of the solid image capture element toward the solid image capture element. 
 
     
     
       4. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 either the holder or the solid image capture element has a connecting section for electrical connection between the holder and the solid image capture element; and 
 the connecting section comes into contact with the holder and the solid image capture element when the holder is anchored to the wiring board. 
 
     
     
       5. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 both the wiring board and the holder have terminals; and 
 the terminals of the wiring board and those of the holder come into contact when the holder is anchored to the wiring board. 
 
     
     
       6. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the connecting section is probe pin terminals. 
     
     
       7. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the connecting section is probe pin terminals. 
     
     
       8. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the connecting section is electrically conductive rubber. 
     
     
       9. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the connecting section is electrically conductive rubber. 
     
     
       10. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the transparent lid section has a groove formed on the side faces thereof; and 
 the holder has projections which are anchored in the groove. 
 
     
     
       11. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the transparent lid section has a groove formed on the side faces thereof; and 
 the holder has projections which are anchored in the groove. 
 
     
     
       12. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the holder comes into contact with a top face of the transparent lid section when the holder is in engagement with the external section of the transparent lid section. 
 
     
     
       13. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lens barrel has a flange section on a bottom section thereof; and 
 the holder presses the flange section when the holder is in engagement with the external section of the transparent lid section, to secure the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section. 
 
     
     
       14. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lens barrel has a flange section on a bottom section thereof; and 
 the frame comes into contact with the flange section and a top face of the transparent lid section when the frame is fit around an external section of the contact sections. 
 
     
     
       15. The solid image capture device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the lens barrel has a flange section on a bottom section thereof; and 
 the holder comes into contact with a periphery of the transparent lid section and the flange section when the holder is anchored to the wiring board. 
 
     
     
       16. An electronic device, comprising
 a solid image capture device including:
 a solid image capture element; 
 a wiring board to which the solid image capture element is mounted, the wiring board including wiring for electrical connection with the solid image capture element; 
 a transparent lid section provided over the solid image capture element to cover a light receiving section of the solid image capture element with a gap being left between the transparent lid section and the light receiving section; 
 a lens directing external light to the light receiving section of the solid image capture element; 
 a lens barrel accommodating the lens; and 
 a holder securing the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section, 
 wherein
 the holder presses the lens barrel when the holder is in engagement with an external section of the transparent lid section, to secure the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section; 
 
 the holder is provided on the wiring board to encase therein the solid image capture element; and 
 the holder is detachably secured to the wiring board and applies pressure to side faces of the transparent lid section in a direction normal to the side faces, to tightly hold the transparent lid section, and 
 the holder includes:
 contact sections each provided for a different one of the side faces of the transparent lid section to come into contact with that side face; 
 lock sections detachably secured to the wiring board to pivotally support the contact sections; and 
 a frame securing the contact sections when fit around the contact sections. 
 
 
 
     
     
       17. An electronic device, comprising
 a solid image capture device, including: 
 a solid image capture element; 
 a wiring board to which the solid image capture element is mounted, the wiring board including wiring for electrical connection with the solid image capture element; 
 a transparent lid section provided over the solid image capture element to cover a light receiving section of the solid image capture element with a gap being left between the transparent lid section and the light receiving section; 
 a lens directing external light to the light receiving section of the solid image capture element; 
 a lens barrel accommodating the lens; and 
 a holder securing the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section, 
 wherein
 the holder presses the lens barrel when the holder is in engagement with an external section of the transparent lid section, to secure the lens barrel onto the transparent lid section; 
 the holder is provided on the wiring board to encase therein the solid image capture element; and 
 the holder is detachably secured to the wiring board and applies pressure to side faces of the transparent lid section in a direction normal to the side faces, to tightly hold the transparent lid section; and 
 
 wherein
 either the holder or the solid image capture element has a connecting section for electrical connection between the holder and the solid image capture element; and 
 the connecting section comes into contact with the holder and the solid image capture element when the transparent lid section is tightly held by the holder.